The best anti-bear pistol and round..

[bearhunter99]

Marine 12 Ga with slug, buckshot, slug, etc saved my brother's life in AK when he was attacked by a momma brown bear.  Slug took out her shoulder and she couldn't claw him.  14 puncture wounds in his legs but he managed to hit her three times.  Every time we were archery hunting brown bears we had that shotgun with us, but we weren't going backcountry either - distance changes things a bit.  Personally I carry either a 10mm or 45 ACP in a chest rig if I am going to be out all day or going into the backcountry.

[Sliverslinger]

G20. 15 rounds alternating Lehigh defense extreme penetrator and extreme hunter. I tested a bunch of hard cast bullets from different manufacturers - these two were far above the others.

[WapitiTalk1]

Remember you animals, what what the OP was about “UL”.  to carry back into a kill site in big brown bear country.  To clarify, I’m talking UL. I do not normally carry my UL hand cannon when hunting but always bring it along for the ride when heading back into the elk kill site for the second + pack out.  Taurus 444 UL Titanium (1.8 lbs) loaded with 6 HSM 305 grain bear loads. I’ve shot thru sone amazing “things” with this combo, no kidding.  Whatcha got that will challenge this combo?  I’m all ears.

[logola512c]

I've seen a lot of these discussions online, and they always fascinate me.  My pistols include an 8-inch .44 magnum, a 45 with a 2.5 inch barrel and 12 round magazine, and a 9mm concealed carry that pre-dates magazine bans with a 15 round magazine. 

I can shoot the 9mm with a high level of competency, meaning 150% bear-head-sized rapid fire groups at 15 yards, and bear-head sized rapid fire groups at 10 yards.  For me, the 45 is probably about 10-15% less accurate at those ranges. I am absolutely terrible with the .44 unless it is under 7 yards or using some kind of rest.

So I have a high level of confidence that with the 9 or the 45, I can get more accurate shots and definitely a higher volume of shots on target, especially under duress. And I'd start pulling the trigger earlier and more often, trying my best to hit the head.

So then it comes down to the bullet type.  I've seen a lot written about hard cast bullets and their penetration, etc.  And there's good data about why the meplot of the bullets causes more wound channel damage, but there's also a lot of videos etc. that show that higher velocity FMJ bullets from a 9mm or 45ACP have suprisingly deep penetration because they don't really expand. 

So is the goal to have a pistol that's going to be able to knock down a charging brown bear without a head shot?  That's a tall order for any pistol round.  That seems like shotgun land like others have said, especially a double or triple ought buck that is more forgiving of aim under duress.

So for me, if I had to choose between my three pistols, I'd carry my 9mm with 15 rounds of high velocity FMJ bullets, the same ones that I routinely practice with on the range and that I am highly confident will all hit the target, which is that face/brain  that wants to eat and destroy me.  And for me, it all comes down to what rounds are going to reliably hit that charging target that's hard to hit. I wish that was the 44 but it's not.

I'm guessing I'll get roasted for this answer...


 

[Rat44]

I've seen a lot of these discussions online, and they always fascinate me.  My pistols include an 8-inch .44 magnum, a 45 with a 2.5 inch barrel and 12 round magazine, and a 9mm concealed carry that pre-dates magazine bans with a 15 round magazine. 

I can shoot the 9mm with a high level of competency, meaning 150% bear-head-sized rapid fire groups at 15 yards, and bear-head sized rapid fire groups at 10 yards.  For me, the 45 is probably about 10-15% less accurate at those ranges. I am absolutely terrible with the .44 unless it is under 7 yards or using some kind of rest.

So I have a high level of confidence that with the 9 or the 45, I can get more accurate shots and definitely a higher volume of shots on target, especially under duress. And I'd start pulling the trigger earlier and more often, trying my best to hit the head.

So then it comes down to the bullet type.  I've seen a lot written about hard cast bullets and their penetration, etc.  And there's good data about why the meplot of the bullets causes more wound channel damage, but there's also a lot of videos etc. that show that higher velocity FMJ bullets from a 9mm or 45ACP have suprisingly deep penetration because they don't really expand. 

So is the goal to have a pistol that's going to be able to knock down a charging brown bear without a head shot?  That's a tall order for any pistol round.  That seems like shotgun land like others have said, especially a double or triple ought buck that is more forgiving of aim under duress.

So for me, if I had to choose between my three pistols, I'd carry my 9mm with 15 rounds of high velocity FMJ bullets, the same ones that I routinely practice with on the range and that I am highly confident will all hit the target, which is that face/brain  that wants to eat and destroy me.  And for me, it all comes down to what rounds are going to reliably hit that charging target that's hard to hit. I wish that was the 44 but it's not.

I'm guessing I'll get roasted for this answer...

The best sidearm is the one you are good with.
Buffalo Bore makes a load that would work well in your 9 mm.
147 gr hardcast lead flat point at 1100 FPS.

[Rat44]

Guess I'll chime in with my 2 cents.
The only gun I would have the most confidence in is a 12 Gauge with slugs.
But since we are talking pistols my 5 shot 44 Mag is my constant companion while in the woods these days.
I can hit what I am aiming at and can get off all 5 rounds on target.

[crabcreekhunter]

Benelli M4.

[TeacherMan]

I’ve had several 10mm’s and 44’s over the years. At one point in AK I only carried a 500SW, and actually had to use it once. It felt small at the time. Currently I’ve switched back to the old school wheel gun. 44 Mag in the Ruger Alaskan, 305gr hardcasts with a Diamond D Cheat Holster.

[scudmaster]

The one you train with!!  IMO


 But I go with a G21 with a 5"  10MM conversion barrel and hard cast 220s in a RAZCO chest bino rig. 

[boneaddict]

……the one you have in your hand when one decides to attack.

[pianoman9701]

  The one you can shoot accurately while filling your pants.

[birdshooter1189]

I've carried 9mm, 40, 45, 357, 44 mag, 50ae, 357 max.  For me it's a combination of what I think I may encounter, and what's available and convenient.

44 mag is generally my first choice if I think I might need stopping power.

I've never had to fire a pistol in self defense.  If I ever do, I hope to be holding a 44 mag, 357 mag or max, or 10mm when it happens.

[MAVsled]

My G20, 10mm with Underwood 200gr cast bullets (ie bear rounds) is always carried while hunting, archery a& rifle seasons.
But when going back in to pack out meat in bear country, it's my Rem-1100 short 20" bbl, w/out plug, 1st 2 rounds are 000-buck, then 3 slugs.

40 years ago, while fishing Alaska's Russian river for reds, talked to 2 rangers in the parking area.
Both had Rem 870-pump shotguns, short barrels, slung over their shoulders and loaded with 000 buckshot.

North Central WA state soon to become bear country for GRIZZ

[jackelope]

If ultralight was really a concern, S&W 329pd. If you’re really that concerned about weight, drop a pound or 2 somewhere else and pack a G20.  What’s 1-2 pounds when you’re packing out a bull? You won’t even notice it.

[Cougartail]

If ultralight was really a concern, S&W 329pd. If you’re really that concerned about weight, drop a pound or 2 somewhere else and pack a G20.  What’s 1-2 pounds when you’re packing out a bull? You won’t even notice it.

Some fiber in your diet and a good movement will drop a pound for most.